Hit-by-pitch

[DownTownTonyBrown]

I think surely the location of the pitch has got to have something to do with the situation.

There is definitely an area into which the pitcher's should throw the ball... and there is an area where the batter should be able to stand and not expect to get hit by the pitch.

If the pitcher is throwing in his proper pitching area (just an estimate but I would suggest within a foot [at most] of the plate), then I'm not giving the batter a base. BUT if the pitch is poor enough to hit the batter and the batter is properly positioned in the box... I'll let the batter have a base. That's a bad pitch.

There is also the possibility of a strike call... if the batter is hanging his head and hands over the plate ... I lean towards calling a strike, especially if he reaches out and hits it with his hand. If we've got runners stealing and he does that, I may be tempted to call interference and send one of the would be stealers to the dugout.

Pitch location has got to be factored into the equation/scenario. SO.... in my opinion, Had To Be There.